User Reviews

Before you decide to watch this movie on DVD, there is something you might want to know. The subtitles are in difficult to read font and are yellow, and at times, they are a bit hard to read. It's hard to imagine that the people distributing the film would do such a haphazard job of captioning the film--and it's a shame.

The plot of this film is a lot like the Anne Bancroft/Anthony Hopkins film, "84 Charing Cross Road" in that it is told through a very long series of letters back and forth between the male and female lead. Despite having a very strong attachment, the male and female leads go for many years without seeing each other! Muyage is a woman living in Japan. Snehamoy is a Bengali man living in India and most of the film is shown from his perspective. They are pen pals and through the course of the film they exchange many letters which are narrated for the audience. Over time, they fall in love but cannot do much about it, as they are both poor. Yet, because they are so painfully shy, they do not see anyone in their own country. Eventually they hit on the idea of getting married--though they still have not actually met...and even after their marriage (there is no actual ceremony) they do not meet! Years pass this way as they exchange letters and grow separately...yet together.

Problems arise, however, when a widow and her young son move in with him and his aunt. After all, this widow is the same lady that the aunt tried to get Snehamoy to marry years earlier. She, like Snehamoy, is painfully shy...but you can also very slowly see something might be blossoming between them...very, very slowly. And, you can also see the young boy beginning to bond more and more with Snehamoy--seeing him as a bit of a father figure. In the meantime, Miyage becomes ill--so ill that Snehamoy is worried she will die, so he takes off time from work and runs from doctor to healer to try to get them to diagnose a woman living 3600 miles from India (trust me, I recently measured it)! What will become of these nice people?

Overall, I was very impressed by the very slow and deliberate pace of the film. It was obviously a labor of love, though some might be a bit put off by the very restrained and emotionally constricted acting. It is a film about people--not about action or great displays of emotion. As a result, I assume many, if not most viewers (who are unfortunately boobs) probably will not enjoy the film very much and much of the film's beauty and artistry will be lost on them. Yes, I am apparently a snob and assume the worst of many viewers--especially teens and the chronically dumb. But, if you are willing to watch such a film, give this one a try. It's original (despite its similarity to this other film) and engaging...if you give it a chance. Just be forewarned, this film, at times, is rather heart-breaking--it's not a predictable romantic feel-good film. Seriously...think about this before picking this film.

By the way, there was one aspect of the film I did NOT love. Seeing the male lead apparently masturbating in one scene was kind of yucky. No, they didn't show this but it was clear this was occurring. I did, however, like a scene soon after this where you THINK this is occurring...but it isn't. That's pretty clever.

It is another pseudo artistic movie. I watched hoping being an Aparna Sen movie it should be good, but was disappointed.

It lacks story, acting as well as punchline. Reema is totally wasted. There is no depth nor details. Instead of Japanese it could have easily been Mumbai wife.

How they became pen-friends remains a mystery.

There is old style thunderstorm and rain to emphasize something bad is going to happen.

Despite being relatively short movie, it is tiring and unrealistic.

There is a young guy and a young widow living under one roof with no hot outcome ... totally unrealistic in today's world.

Overall, it is an avoidable movie. Be ready to be disappointed.

The Japanese Wife is an exquisitely crafted film, with the entire emotional gamut of a love story so unbelievable and yet so touching and universal distilled onto the silver screen.

The performances are heart-rending and so realistic that the viewer is just pulled completely into the characters' world. From the restrained turbulence of Raima Sen to the poignancy of Chigusa Takaku, this film probably marks complete departures in roles for its entire cast.

The direction is expectedly superb from Aparna Sen as each scene seems to sigh with the beauty of the Sunderbans and delicately fashion each character in the landscape.

Most interesting for me was the subtle way in which the film tried to make a point about xenophobia and the stupidity of people who adhere to it. When Miyage sends over a box of kites for their 15th wedding anniversary which Snehamoy intends to fly at the Vishwakarma Puja, the sporting kite war is turned into shouts of "Bharater ghuri Zindabad! Japaner ghuri Murdabad!" from one ignorant tramp, which then another ignorant tramp turns into "Duniyar mazdur ek ho!".

In all, a triumph for the cast, crew and for romantics who dare to believe in the impossible. A must see.

"The Japanese Wife" is about two pen-pals, Snehmoy and Miyagi, but the movie is told mostly from view of Snehmoy. Snehmoy is a is teacher who lives in Bengal, India and Miyagi is a shop-keeper who lives with her sick mother and takes care of her. Their friendship grows in letters and when Snehmoy aunt insists on his marrying a girl of her choice, Miyagi propose marriage to Snehmoy. He accepts and they trade some token of marriage like a ring and vermilion through letters. They consider themselves married and due to the circumstances they don't meet for 15 years.

I am a sucker for love stories, but this movie was beyond stupid. First, as a viewer you don't feel a bond between them. Both of them are from different cultures and they write letters in broken English. Since these letters form nearly 30 minutes of the movie, they really grated on me. "84 Charing Cross Road" is another movie that mostly moves forward through letters, and they are a delight to listen. Here it is a chore to go through. Still even if we accept that they have a bond and they decide to marry each other without a single meeting, they don't meet each other even after that sham of a marriage.

What worked:

• unique screenplay; it's so rare that we see a story relating two lovers across international boundaries. The movie is beautifully shot, well acted and the movie convinces the viewers of the narrative. The story is unique also because pen friend is a lost trend that was popular before the internet revolution. The lead actors played their part graciously which makes it a beautiful watch.

What did not work:

• tragic story; this movie is, if not the saddest, one of the saddest story I have encountered. Just look at the situation; two lovers who haven't met each other in 17 years. They are both poor financially, there is language barrier, but they wait each other not getting married or poking for love elsewhere. In the mean time, she gets cancer and her husband can't do anything because he is poor. Both are hopeless and helpless. Also, there is are two widows in the family. To make it worse he dies of malaria without meeting his wife. Then she commits herself a widow Hindu tradition and comes to India. Come one, the movie could have been a bit optimistic, maybe they could have met at the end or even if one of them die, other could have married. I understand the principles and the great love, but the filmmakers could have shown some mercy.
• far from reality; firstly pen friend is a rare thing and a movie on that topic is something new generation won't relate to. Also, 17 years marriage without meeting each other, no hopes, no future, it's unbelievable in today's time. Okay, they waited for that long, ethically they should meet. No, one of them dies. The movie is very tragic.

Final verdict: If you are wanting to watch a very tragic love story, watch it. I remind you again it's not a feel good love story.

Explaining this movie, The Japanese Wife, won't be so easy – such are all films that aim to bridge barriers, break walls and create a new realm of understanding, based on a newly discovered perception of a common ground that's always been there, but was kept unnoticed for some unknown reason.

Released in April 2010, the movie clearly attempts to link two worlds, and not just the commonly known main stream version of these worlds, but goes deeper, touches the underlining matter that makes up the society of both cultures, the Indian and the Japanese. Shows life the way it really is, not the way it is being fed off the screen - a long lasting trend in the modern mass media.

Shows how love can go by without a physical element. Doesn't deny the need of a physical contact yet achieves a neat balance and doesn't distort the image of platonic love.

It is also a story of selfless service to the loved ones and the community, a sacrifice and a lesson of priorities, telling you what really matters. Because of one man's commitment and dedication, and his insider's link into 'all things Japanese', something beautiful and memorable happened in a far away Indian village.

With a hint of humor, this love story nearly lands you inside a tearful tragedy, stripping you off a so needed explanation of what happened out there. And then in the matter of seconds you fly on the wings of hope towards the light that only true love can bring you to.

There is an undeniable charm in the way this story floats from one corner of the Earth to another. A word should also be said about one striking feature that some might still find subject to a profound neglect - the source of strength, coming from the feminine spirit, overtaking and inspiring. The power of women.

Filled with passion, the story is narrated in a very calm and simplistic way. Yes, somewhat minimalistic too. Tells how little we need to be happy. The makers of this movie managed to create an impression of haiku , with character's reflections captured almost in slow motion, so that the viewer can pause and gaze and allow the touchdown to happen within one's heart. But, like is the case with all haiku, worded, painted or now filmed, it often goes unappreciated and misunderstood, and always takes time to sink in. Not every one might find it immediately thrilling and amazing. Yet, in the end, it is.

And so is the final verdict – definitely worth it.